Victorian Christmas

Written by staff writer

Saturday, 03 March 2007

Upside-Down Christmas Tree Traditions the New England Way Every day of the year Berry Manor Inn in Rockland, Maine is the ideal backdrop for celebrating venerated Victorian traditions.  During the holidays, however, the charming inn is particularly resplendent.  Innkeeper Cheryl Michaelson has captured many of the Victorian traditions and loves to celebrate them with guests. A Pickle on the Christmas Tree According to Victorian myth, an orphan wandered into a pub where he was kidnapped and thrown into a pickle barrel. St. Nick came to his rescue, and the pickle became a symbol of good luck.  By German tradition a pickle ornament is hung on the Christmas tree for good luck.  The child who first finds the pickle is rewarded with an extra present. Christmas Crackers  In the 1860s a London confectioner offered a tube filled with sweets and toys for entertainment at the dinner table.  Later, inspired by the flames of the hearth, a mechanism was added so that a popping noise was heard when the tube was opened.  This led to the name “Crackers.” The Christmas Maze  Berry Manor Inn sets up a “maze” game in the Children’s Room, replicating the way many Victorian children found their Christmas treasures.  By Victorian tradition, children were assigned one of many intertwined colored ribbons to follow through the maze to their gifts. Peppermint Pig Peppermint Pigs  Since the pig was a symbol of good health, happiness and prosperity in Victorian times, Cheryl serves peppermint pigs after meals as a portent of good fortune. The Inn purchases Peppermint Pigs from SaratogaSweets.com, which has been making these Victorian confections since 1880. The Upside Down Christmas Tree  It was common in Victorian times to display a “table top” tree in the parlor. Since the trees were often too tall for the table, the top would be cut off and hung upside down in another part of the house. This afforded the opportunity to have another tree to display the many handmade treasures collected over the years. Cheryl Michaelson’s four diamond rated Berry Manor Inn can be seen in its Victorian resplendence during the Holiday House Tour in Rockland, ME. Articles by this Author: Learning About Weather Relaxing with Bowser Pets Do the Shopping Meeting Needs Through NEADS Inn Decadence View all articles by this author

Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 March 2007 )

 

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